Fluid-flow system, device and method

Abstract

Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for combining fluids of different pressures and flow rates in, for example, gas gathering systems, gas wells, and other areas in which independently powered compressors or pumps are not desired.

1 . A method of combining at least two fluid streams of differing pressures, the method comprising:
 receiving, into a first volume, a fluid of a first pressure;   receiving, into a second volume, a fluid of a second pressure; and   combining, in a third volume, a portion of fluid from the first volume with a portion of the fluid from the second volume, due to a pressure differential between the first volume and at least the third volume;   combining, in a fourth volume, a portion of fluid from the first volume with a portion of the fluid from the second volume, and   communicating the third and the fourth volumes into a single flow line.   
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein said combining, in a third volume, comprises:
 capturing the portion of fluid from the first volume;   capturing the portion of fluid from the second volume;   transporting the captured portion of the first volume to the third volume; and   transporting the captured portion of the second volume to the third volume.   
   
   
       3 . A system for combining at least two fluids of differing pressures, the system comprising:
 means for receiving, into a first volume, a fluid of a first pressure;   means for receiving, into a second volume, a fluid of a second pressure; and   means for combining, in a third volume, a portion of fluid from the first volume with a portion of the fluid from the second volume, due to a pressure differential between the first volume and at least the third volume;   means for combining, in a fourth volume, a portion of fluid from the first volume with a portion of the fluid from the second volume, and   means for communicating the third and the fourth volumes into a single flow line.   
   
   
       4 . A system as in  claim 3  wherein said means for combining, in a third volume, comprises:
 means for capturing the portion of fluid from the first volume;   means for capturing the portion of fluid from the second volume;   means for transporting the captured portion of the first volume to the third volume; and   means for transporting the captured portion of the second volume to the third volume.   
   
   
       5 . A system as in  claim 4 , wherein
 said means for capturing the portion of fluid from the first volume comprises a plurality of rotor protrusions sealing with a non-rotating member, wherein the sealing occurs in the first volume and a plurality of sealed protrusions defines the captured portion, and   said means for capturing the portion of fluid from the second volume comprises a plurality of rotor protrusions sealing with a non-rotating member, wherein the sealing occurs in the first volume and a plurality of sealed protrusions defines the captured portion.   
   
   
       6 . A system as in  claim 4  wherein
 said means for transporting the captured portion from the first volume comprises means for rotating the rotor protrusions to an unsealed position in the third volume, and   said means for transporting the captured portion from the second volume comprises means for rotating the rotor protrusions to an unsealed position in the fourth volume.   
   
   
       7 . A system as in  claim 6  wherein said means for rotating comprises a pressure differential between the first volume and the second volume. 
   
   
       8 . A system as in  claim 3  wherein said means for communicating comprises a first fluid output conduit in communication with the third volume, a second fluid output conduit in communication with the fourth volume, wherein the first and the second output conduits are both in communication with the single flow line. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus useful in combining at least two fluids of differing pressures, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a first rotor within the housing;   a second rotor within the housing, the first rotor engaging the second rotor and both the first and the second rotors engaging the housing;   a third rotor within the housing and engaging the first rotor;   a fourth rotor within the housing and engaging the second rotor, the third rotor engaging the fourth rotor and both the third and the fourth rotors engaging the housing;   wherein the first and the second rotors define a first input volume;   wherein the third and the fourth rotors define a second input volume;   wherein the first and the third rotors define a first output volume; and   wherein the second and the fourth rotors define a second output volume.   
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein at least two rotors are in a sealing engagement. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein the rotors are substantially the same size. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein a first pair of the rotors is larger than a second pair of the rotors. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein the rotors are mounted on bearings around fixed shafts. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein at least one rotor is fixed to the shaft of the rotor. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein the housing comprises a substantially cylindrical shape having sealing surfaces arranged therein to seal with the rotors. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as in  claim 15  wherein the housing comprises inputs substantially normal to the axis of the housing. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as in  claim 15  wherein the housing comprises inputs substantially parallel to the axis of the housing. 
   
   
       18 . A rotor useful in an apparatus for combining at least two fluids of differing pressures, the rotor comprising:
 a set of protrusions;   a set of recesses between the protrusions;   wherein the protrusions comprise sealing surfaces;   wherein at least a portion of the sealing surface comprises a portion of a first circle;   wherein the recesses comprise sealing surfaces;   wherein at least a portion of the sealing surface comprises a portion of a second circle;   wherein the first circle and the second circle are tangential;   wherein the first circle and the second circle each have centers located on a circle having a center on an axis of the rotor.   
   
   
       19 . A rotor as in  claim 18  wherein the rotor forms a substantially cylindrical void. 
   
   
       20 . A rotor as in  claim 18  wherein the rotor is fixed to a shaft. 
   
   
       21 . A gas gathering system comprising:
 a first input of gas at a first pressure;   a second input of gas at a second pressure, the first pressure being higher than the second pressure;   a means for combining the first and the second inputs of gas;   wherein the means for combining uses pressure differences between the first input of gas and the second input of gas to power the means for combining.   
   
   
       22 . A gas gathering system as in  claim 18  further comprising a gas/fluid separator receiving gas and fluids from a well;
 wherein the first input of gas comprises gas from the separator, and a liquids tank, receiving liquids from the separator, wherein the second input of gas comprises vapor from the tank.   
   
   
       23 . A gas gathering system comprising:
 a first well;   a first flow line of gas from the first well;   a first separator connected to the first flow line;   a first separated gas flow line connected to a first input of a means for combining at least two gas flows having different pressures;   a second well;   a second flow line of gas from the second well;   a second separation connected to the second flow line;   a second separated gas flow line connected to a second input of the means for combining;   wherein the means for combining comprises a first input volume and a second input volume; and   a pressure differential between the first input volume and the second input volume causes a portion of the first input volume to be combined with a portion of the second input volume at an output volume.